Hong Kong Government to Allow Transit of E-Cigarettes Overseas

Mar.22.2023
Hong Kong Government to Allow Transit of E-Cigarettes Overseas
HK government allows alternative smoking product export by air, sea, and land, with a new regulatory framework to prevent local distribution.

The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced on March 22 that on Friday, March 24, it will publish the draft amendment to the Import and Export (Amendment) Regulation 2023. This amendment will permit the transportation of alternative smoking products (including electronic cigarettes) to overseas markets via air, sea, and land routes that are connected through Hong Kong. The draft amendment will be submitted for legislative council review on Wednesday, March 29.


The Hong Kong government is set to establish a regulatory system that will be managed, supervised, and enforced by the Hong Kong Customs, aimed at strengthening the regulation of cross-border transportation of alternative smoking products and reducing the risk of such products entering the local market.


A spokesperson from the Transport and Logistics Bureau stated today (March 22) that "due to the harmful nature of alternative smoking products, the government maintains its stance on prohibiting their entry into the local market. However, we have noticed that the prohibition of intermodal transportation of such products since April 30, 2022 has caused significant losses to Hong Kong's aviation cargo transportation industry. Therefore, we should exempt the intermodal transportation of such products through a new regulatory framework, while ensuring that they do not enter the local market.


The Hong Kong Logistics Development Council has expressed its welcome and support for the proposed regulations aimed at restoring the transportation of alternative smoking products from the Mainland, via Hong Kong International Airport, to overseas markets under a new regulatory system.


Sorry, I cannot complete this task as there is no text to translate. Please provide the text to be translated.


A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council expressed support for the government's efforts to safeguard public health. However, given the importance of transporting alternative smoking products to Hong Kong's logistics and air freight industries, members believe that it is equally important to quickly resume the transportation of these products.


As an AI language model, I am programmed to write in standard journalistic English. Please provide me with the text to translate.


The industry will fully cooperate with the government to implement the new regulatory system, which will be managed, supervised, and enforced by the Hong Kong Customs, in order to enhance the regulation of the cross-border transportation of alternative smoking products. The spokesperson added.


The government has consulted the Economic Development Committee of the Legislative Council, the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, and the trade and logistics industry, and received widespread support for submitting a bill to the Legislative Council.


Reference:


Press Release


On Friday, the draft revision of the 2023 Import and Export Ordinance for Alternative Smoking Products was published in the Official Gazette. This includes amendments related to the transportation of such products.


The Hong Kong Logistics Development Council has endorsed the proposed legislative amendments for the 2023 Import and Export (Amendment) Bill relating to the transit of alternative smoking products.


Further reading:


The Hong Kong government has acknowledged that the ban on transporting electronic cigarettes has resulted in huge losses and will push for amendments to relevant laws in the Legislative Council.


Exclusive Interview with Cloud Pu Jiahang: Hong Kong and Shenzhen may cooperate to establish a pre-clearance facility.


If the ban on transporting electronic cigarettes is lifted, should one choose Hong Kong or Shenzhen?


Hong Kong to resume e-cigarette distribution via sea and air transport only in early 2023.


Special Notice: 1. The content of this article is taken from documents such as "2023 Import and Export (Revised) Regulations" and should be referenced in their original form. 2. This article is intended for industry communication and exploration only and is not meant to promote or recommend any specific brand or product. 3. Smoking is harmful to health. Minors are prohibited from reading this article. 4. This article is an original piece by Shenzhen 2FIRSTS Technology Co., Ltd. and its copyright and usage rights belong to the company. No unit or individual is authorized to copy, reprint, or use this article in any other way without permission. Violators will be subject to legal liability and the company reserves the right to pursue such action.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

FDA Foreign Tobacco Registration Proposal Could Strengthen ENDS Import Oversight, Azim Chowdhury Says
FDA Foreign Tobacco Registration Proposal Could Strengthen ENDS Import Oversight, Azim Chowdhury Says
FDA’s proposed rule requiring foreign tobacco manufacturers to register establishments and list products is more than routine paperwork, Keller and Heckman LLP partner Azim Chowdhury told 2Firsts. He said it could strengthen FDA’s import enforcement, inspections and market surveillance. Chinese e-cigarette OEM/ODM manufacturers, specification developers, brand owners and component suppliers may need to review their roles, product data and U.S. market authorization status.
Special Report
Jun.29
Vape Vending Machine Concerns Rise in German-Speaking Europe as Schools and Age Checks Come Into Focus
Vape Vending Machine Concerns Rise in German-Speaking Europe as Schools and Age Checks Come Into Focus
Recent reports from Germany and Switzerland show growing concern over vape and tobacco vending machines near schools or in public settings, with parents, teachers and residents questioning youth access, age-verification controls and the sale of vapes alongside snacks and drinks.
Jul.06
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Maduro Distributors, Inc., doing business as Loon, on July 15, 2026, alleging that the company illegally manufactured, distributed and sold flavored vapes that appeal to minors.
Jul.16
Innovation, Insights and Networking: NUBIZ Brings the Global NGP Industry Together in Dortmund
Innovation, Insights and Networking: NUBIZ Brings the Global NGP Industry Together in Dortmund
The market for next-generation products is expanding rapidly, with vapes, e-cigarettes, pouches, snus and heat-not-burn products among the industry’s most innovative segments. As part of InterTabac, NUBIZ provides a central platform for reduced-risk tobacco and nicotine products, bringing together global leaders and newcomers from 15 to 17 September. The show combines market insights, product comparisons, networking, a high-level conference programme and exclusive side events.
Jun.03
Product | JT Upgrades with2 Infused Tobacco Capsules With Double-Size BIG PACK
Product | JT Upgrades with2 Infused Tobacco Capsules With Double-Size BIG PACK
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) announced that it will introduce a BIG PACK version of all five tobacco capsule variants designed for its with2 infused tobacco system. Scheduled for release in Japan on August 4, 2026, the refreshed packaging doubles the contents from five capsules and one cartridge to ten capsules and two cartridges while maintaining the same flavors and formulations
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Special Report|U.S.-Facing Retailer Lists RELX Creator Pro 15K: A Chinese Brand Signal Under FDA’s Lower-Priority Enforcement Window
Special Report|U.S.-Facing Retailer Lists RELX Creator Pro 15K: A Chinese Brand Signal Under FDA’s Lower-Priority Enforcement Window
Vapesourcing has listed RELX Creator Pro 15K as “Coming Soon” with U.S. warehouse shipping options; while the page does not show that RELX has entered the U.S. market through official channels or that the product has received FDA authorization, the listing suggests that Chinese brand-led ENDS products are becoming a new point of observation as the U.S. market reassesses regulatory risk following the FDA’s updated enforcement-priority policy.
Industry Insight
Jun.11